Something you might not know about Kathy: She. Never. Stops. The woman is constantly creating and cooking and thinking and connecting. I get tired just contemplating everything she has going on! Kathy’s latest project and her fifth cookbook, The Easy Vegan Cookbook: Make Healthy Home Cooking Practically Effortless is set to be released in just a few days on September 1. Congratulations, Kathy! I already know I’m gonna love this one, too. Not only was I a recipe-tester for Kathy as she developed The Easy Vegan Cookbook, I took the photos! From late December 2014 to early February 2015, Kel and I ate most of our meals courtesy of Ms. Kathy’s cookbook – after I took pictures, of course!

Below are some of the shots I took – plus Kathy’s incredible recipe for All-Natural Carrot Dogs. I’m no fan of cooked carrots, but this recipe blew my mind! With just a few simple ingredients, Kathy created a guilt-free, cruelty-free dog that tastes spot on for the “real” thing. Trust me on this one. This recipe would be fantastic for those Labor Day cookouts coming up.

To order a copy of The Easy Vegan Cookbook by the incomparable Kathy Hester, click here. And, be sure and stop by Kathy’s blog, Healthy Slow Cooking, for lots and lots of easy, yummy, vegan recipes.

All-Natural Carrot Dogs

2015-08-10 11:46:03

A carrot is the same shape as a hot dog and close enough in color to make a decent substitute. But what about the taste? I promise you, this marinade really takes it to the next level. I think the sesame oil helps, but the vinegar gives it that “cured” flavor, too. - Kathy Hester

Heat water in a pot large enough for all the carrots. When it comes to a boil, turn down to medium heat and add the carrots. Cook until you can just pierce them through with a fork; you want them to have a snap when you bite into them. Remove from pot and run cold water over them to stop them from cooking.

In a container with a tight-fitting lid, combine the remaining ingredients to make the marinade. Tighten the lid and shake until well mixed.

Place the carrots in a container in which they can lie flat. Pour the marinade over them and marinate at least 3 to 4 hours, up to 24. The longer they marinate, the more vinegar flavor they take on. If you know you need to leave them longer than a day, cut the vinegar to 1⁄8 cup (30 ml). If the carrots are very skinny, keep the marinating time short.

To serve, heat the carrots in a 350°F (177°C) oven, or in a grill pan on a hot grill, until heated through, 10 to 15 minutes.

Serve in a toasted hot dog bun or wrapped in a lettuce or collard leaf, and pile on your favorite toppings.

Notes

￼TIP: You can cook these in your slow cooker in the marinade. You need to check on them so they do not get mushy, so it is not a set-it-and-walk- away affair. Cook until a fork just goes through the carrot but it is still slightly firm.

This recipe looks great! I’m also really excited about this book. But I have a question for you. Do most of the recipes make a large quantity of servings? I’m typically only cooking for myself, and while I definitely don’t mind eating leftovers for a few days and freezing some for the future, I don’t always want to make recipes that make way more than I need/want. Do you think this could be suitable for a single person or small household?